It should come as no surprise that misunderstandings about the gospel message and the nature of true conversion result in a problem with genuine assurance of salvation. A pseudo-gospel of “easy believism” has led many into careless presumption, and a poor understanding of salvation has abandoned tender consciences to near spiritual despair. In Gospel Assurance and Warnings, Paul Washer shines the light of gospel hope as he cautions against the dangers of making an empty profession of faith and carefully explains from Scripture the basis for establishing and maintaining a sound assurance of faith.

This week, the Cross Focused Reviewers are participating in a book review blog tour for Gospel Assurance & Warnings by Paul Washer (Reformation Heritage Books, 2014). Excerpts and links to the reviews will appear below as they are available:

“I highly recommend this book and pray the Lord uses it to awaken a slumbering and apathetic generation to the glory and excellencies of the gospel, including its warnings, for His glory.”Reviewer: Dave Jenkins (ServantsOfGrace.org) Rating: 5 Stars

“Paul Washer has provided the body of Christ with a book that is a scalpel, balm, and siren. It is a scalpel as he repeatedly references the piercing sword which is the word of God to demonstrate what true faith is all about. It is also a balm as healing also comes from the Word of God as the Holy Spirit works that process of sanctification in the life of the believer. It is a siren for those who are living a lie, claiming to be following Christ yet denying Him by their deeds.”Reviewer: Michael Boling (IntelMin.org) Rating: 5 Stars

“I highly, highly recommend this book and encourage all who profess faith in Jesus Christ to read it. Paul Washer justifiably notes that in 1 John, “John’s boldness is a bit overwhelming to the modern ear that has grown accustomed to smoother speech.” But even so, we are further admonished by the Apostle: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches,” (Rev. 3:22). This book will help all Christians rightly divide God’s word to test whether or not they are of the Christian faith.”Reviewer: Beth Saathoff (bethsaathoff.blogspot.com) Rating: 5 Stars

“I think Gospel Assurance & Warnings will help many Christian leaders to identify and assure true converts and likewise use Scripture’s warnings to warn those who may not be soundly saved. For people in the business of winning and shepherding souls, I don’t know of many topics that have more eternal significance.”Reviewer: Kevin Halloran (kevinhalloran.net) Rating: 4 Stars

“Your toes will be stepped on. You will experience some emotional turmoil. And you will be all the better for it. Don’t just pick up this work, pick up the entire trilogy and be blessed.”Reviewer: Josh Skinner (joshrskinner.com) Rating: 4 Stars

“this book is a good resource for pastors and church leaders. Its treatment of Bible passages giving assurances and warnings is superb, and the gospel issues at stake are that important.”Reviewer: Andrew Wencl (andrewwencl.blogspot.com) Rating: 4 Stars

“Washer dives deep into a multitude of areas, probing behavior and thought attempting to discern genuine vs. artificial faith, and the production of fruit or the lack thereof. Readers can’t go wrong with 200 pages of in-depth analysis and thinking of New Testament theology, as readers will find no lack of information in this book.”Reviewer: Davis Wetherell (brofessionalwriter.wordpress.com) Rating: 4 Stars

“Plainly written, this book aims for the heart. For those who have Christ in their hearts, the message will resonate with a desire to obey. For those who do not have Christ in their hearts, they can be easily offended with a desire to defend their existing way of life. For those who are not sure, perhaps these series of gospel assurances and warnings will help them distinguish the small and narrow way of Christ, versus the highway of hell. If this book can nudge you a little closer toward the way of Christ, it would have worth every penny.”Reviewer: Conrade Yap (booksaint.blogspot.com) Rating: 4 Stars

“Washer writes on assurance and on the warnings of alleged faith that gives no proof of eternal life dwelling within a person. What you are going to find from Washer is a strong biblical case for assurance and a strong biblical case against those who say they believe but have no proof within their lifestyle.”Reviewer: Louis Zinc (gazoontite.wordpress.com) Rating: 5 Stars

“Washer clearly points out that we have reduced the Gospel to a profession and a prayer without telling people there has to be a life that changing or conforming to Christ . After stating the problem Washer issues the call to examine yourself to see if your profession is real.”Reviewer: Joshua Aguilar (intersectingfaithandlife.wordpress.com) Rating: 5 Stars

“Washer is known for his straight to the point pull no punches oratory and writing style. This book follows in that Washer tradition by directly and pointedly engaging what it means to be a Christian and how one can have that assurance of faith.”Reviewer: Val Belley (wise-like-solomon.blogspot.com) Rating: 5 Stars

“Washer is concerned here with the same concepts that Dietrich Bonhoeffer dealt with in Discipleship… The reading is challenging, and the assumptions require a prior grasp of Christianity and the Bible. However, as you are digging deeper into theology, this is a useful book on the shelf.”Reviewer: Doug Hibbard (doughibbard.com) Rating: 4 Stars

“I recommend this book to those readers who are professing Christians and are persistent enough to finish it. I hope that it accomplishes its intended task. I am convinced that those who stick with it and slowly read and ruminate upon Washer’s thoughts will find the result highly profitable.”Reviewer: Mark Nenadov (allthingsexpounded.com) Rating: 3 Stars

“Washer’s writing style is impassioned, clear, and steeped with Biblical passages and imagery which is a refreshing change from other popular authors who like to mince words.”Reviewer: Doug Newell (doug4.blogspot.com) Rating: 4 Stars

“This book provides a wonderful close to the series, calling readers to examine themselves and calling false professors to true repentance and faith. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.”Reviewer: Joey Parker (parkerjreviews.blogspot.com) Rating: 5 Stars

“I am sincerely hoping that Washer’s book along with a few more written recently mark a shift away from the faulty, easy-believism of our past and sets us on a course to recovering the true Gospel for the glory of Christ.”Reviewer: Michael Britton (A Misfit Pastor)Rating: 5 Stars

“Gospel Assurance and Warnings is a great tool to begin the process of self-examination in order to find true assurance through God’s Word.”Reviewer: Zach Kendrick (Pastor Zach)Rating: 4 Stars

“I pray that the Lord would use this book, and the others in this series, to help all Christians gain a greater understanding of the one, true, saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.”Reviewer: Zack Ford (Longing For Truth) Rating: 5 stars

“Paul Washer is a voice that needs to be heard”Reviewer: Richard LucianRating: 5 Stars

“This book is a book I will reread over and over again. If you are passionate about following God’s Word and setting out a correct picture of the gospel then you need to purchase this book. And while you are at it buy the other two books too.”Reviewer: Jonathan RobertsRating: 5 Stars

“Like no other book that I know, Gospel Assurance & Warnings will steer you back to no other place than the Scriptures themselves”Reviewer: John WileyRating: 4 Stars

“This biblically rich and searching book will help you to examine yourself in light of Scripture.”Reviewer: Rachel HilleslandRating: 5 Stars

“For pastors, I imagine that this book would be an invaluable resource for study. For laymen, I belive that this could be a very helpful Bible/small group study to work through and discuss.”Reviewer: Cara Duncan Rating: 4 Stars

“I would surely recommend this to pastors and preachers. Those who are already laboring to make the truths in this book known will be encouraged and those who need to apply these truths in their ministry will be challenged and hopefully convicted. The author does a excellent job of addressing downgrade in contemporary evangelicalism and puts his finger on those areas of greatest concern with the hope of revival in the churches and recovery of the biblical gospel.”Reviewer: Timothy Harris Rating: 3 Stars

“I agree with Washer’s overall message in the book. A changing life and submission the Lordship of Christ are not optional for the true Christian.”Reviewer: Mike Knox Rating: 3 Stars

“Paul Washer is not one to back away or sugar coat the gospel. He is one of the few teachers/preachers to be solid in handling the word of God. Having a high view of the word of God and a heart for the church, you will be challenged.”Reviewer: Jeanie Schwagerman Rating: 5 Stars

“This book goes a long way in giving hope to believers and warning them of false assurance that holds onto someone other than Christ. Many people will benefit from the faithful teaching of Paul Washer in this book.”

Where to Buy:Gospel Assurance & Warnings by Paul Washer is available at your local Christian bookstore. If you don’t have a Christian bookstore near you, you may want to consider purchasing a copy from one of the online book retailers listed below:

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